Housing association hailed

Kingdom Housing Association has achieved the Investors in Young People Accreditation.

This is the only people management standard that focuses on an employer’s recruitment and retention of young people.

Last year, Kingdom’s trainee programme was shortlisted in the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual awards and an HR trainee was named apprentice of the year.

Chief executive Bill Banks said: “Our mission here at Kingdom Housing is to build homes and communities so it’s very rewarding to be recognised for our efforts in supporting the young people in our communities to find their way into the world of work.”

Rather than resting on its laurels, it is continuing the work being done and looking at other initiatives, including signing up to a Career Ready programme pairing senior pupils with local mentors.

Head of HR Andrew Latto said: “We have worked hard at providing opportunities for young people so it’s great to have external confirmation we’re doing the right things.”

Peter Russian, chief executive of Remarkable, the home for Investors in People in Scotland, said: “I hope many more organisations in east central Scotland are inspired by Kingdom Housing Association and begin to work with Investors in Young People to further their youth employment activity.”